How do you change the inner tie rod ends and what special tools are needed?

Answer 1

The local alignment shop wanted $150 to replace one inner tie rod end on my 1996 Nissan Maxima. I successfully accomplished the task for a lot less. Here's how: 1. A special tool is required to remove the inner tie rod end. I purchased mine, a Lisle Inner Tie Rod Tool #45750 for approximately $55 on-line, since locally it cost much more. 2. Jack-up the car, insert jack stands and disconnect the negative battery cable. Remove the cotter pin and nut holding the outer tie rod end to the wheel assembly. Obtain, rent-free outer tie rod tools from a local auto supply, if available, or purchase a fork designed for the task and remove the outer tie rod end from the wheel assembly. Loosen the nut that prevents the inner and outer tie rod ends to turn and carefully count the number of turns it takes to remove the outer end from the inner (the outer and inner ends make up the entire tie rod) so that the new outer end can be installed to the new inner tie rod end in approximately the same position as originally installed. 3. Remove the boot covering the inner tie rod end completely from the tie rod (If it is already in two pieces, great, if not, then it must be cut unless you can figure a way to remove it from the rack). 4. On my car, the lands, of which there were four, were covered by a locking washer. To knock these out of the way, use a drift or bend an old screw driver at about a 45 about 1/2" from the tip. Use it and a hammer to pry and knock the locking tabs out of the way. 5. Take the tool obtained earlier, select the correct crows foot, use a 1/2" drive and the tie rod should break loose and screw out. 6. To install the new parts reverse the procedures above described. Don't forget to screw the outer tie rod end to the inner the same number of turns it took to take it off and tighten the locking nut. 7. Have the car aligned and you're good to go. Parts for replacing the inner and outer tie rod ends on both sides of my car cost about $175, including the tool. I can recover some of the cost by selling the $50 tool on-line for about what I paid.